Part 5 (1/2)

PHBE: I heard your name. I've heard That name before.

JUDITH: You heard no good of it, Whoever spoke.

PHBE: I heard it from the lips That uttered it just now.

JUDITH: From Jim's? Well, Jim Kens what I am. I wonder he lets you talk With me. Come ...

PHBE: Not until I know the name Of your baby's father.

JUDITH: You've no right to ask.

PHBE: Maybe: and yet, you shall not cross that doorsill, Until I know.

JUDITH: Come, woman, don't be foolish.

PHBE: You say I've no right. Pray G.o.d, you speak the truth: But there may be no woman in the world Who has a better right.

JUDITH: You'd never heed A doting dobby's blethering, would you, la.s.s-- An old, blind, crazy creature ...

PHBE: If I've no right, You'll surely never have the heart to keep The name from me? You'll set my mind at ease?

JUDITH: The heart! If it will set your mind at ease, I'll speak my shame ... I'll speak my shame right out ...

I'll speak my shame right out, before you all.

JIM: But, la.s.s!

ELIZA (_to PHBE_): Nay: let her go. You're young and hard: And I was hard, though far from young: I've long Been growing old; though little I realized How old. And when you're old, you don't judge hardly: You ken things happen, in spite of us, w.i.l.l.y-nilly.

We think we're safe, holding the reins; and then In a flash the mare bolts; and the wheels fly off; And we're lying, stunned, beneath the broken cart.

So, let the la.s.s go quietly; and keep Your happiness. When you're old, you'll not let slip A chance of happiness so easily: There's not so much of it going, to pick and choose: The apple's speckled; but it's best to munch it, And get what relish out of it you can; And, one day, you'll be glad to chew the core: For all its bitterness, few chuck it from them, While they've a sense left that can savour aught.

So, let the la.s.s go. You may have the right To question her: but folk who stand on their rights Get little rest: they're on a quaking moss Without a foothold; and find themselves to the neck In Deadman's Flow, before they've floundered far.

Rights go for little, in this life: few are worth The risk of losing peace and quiet. You'll have Plenty to worrit, and keep you wakeful, without A pillow stuffed with burrs and briars: so, take An old wife's counsel, daughter: let well alone; And don't go gathering grievances. The la.s.s ...

JIM: Ay, don't be hard on her. Though mother's old, She talks sense, whiles. So let the poor la.s.s go.

JUDITH: The father of my bairn ...

JIM: She's lying, Phbe!

JUDITH: The father of my bairn is--William Burn-- A stranger to these parts. Now, let me pa.s.s.

(_She tries to slip by, but PHBE still does not make way for her._)

JIM: Ay, Phbe, let her go. She tells the truth.

I thought ... But I mistook her. Let her go.

I never reckoned you'd be a reesty nag: Yet, you can set your hoofs, and champ your bit With any mare, I see. I doubt you'll prove A rackle ramstam wife, if you've your head.

She's answered what you asked; though, why, unless ...

Well, I don't blame the wench: she should ken best.

PHBE: Judith, you lie.

JUDITH: I lie! You mean ...

PHBE: To-day, I married your bairn's father.